Traders ask Kenya to lift ban on Uganda poultry products

Traders in Busia County have asked the Kenyan government to lift a ban on importation of poultry products from Uganda.

The Kenyan government in mid-January imposed a ban on imports of poultry products from the neighbouring country following the outbreak of avian flu in the country.

Speaking to nation.co.ke on Monday, the traders led by Eggs Suppliers Union representative Erick Osumba said the ban will push traders out of business.

They wondered why Kenyan authorities have not lifted the ban yet Uganda lifted the ban two weeks ago.

“After doing a thorough risk assessment, Uganda confirmed there is no avian flu. Kenyan delegation went to Uganda to confirm the same and came with samples which are yet to be made public.

“Why are they subjecting traders to this kind of hostility? Some of us have taken loans and we also have to pay school fees for our children,” Mr Osumba asked.

The traders said most towns in Kenya are experiencing shortage of eggs.

“We have taken an initiative of visiting different market centers in the country and found out most of them are experiencing scarcity of eggs including Kitale, Moi’s Bridge, Wangige and Thika. All our customers are also complaining.

“We ask Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett to intervene and make sure we are back in business,” said Ms Margaret Wanjohi.

Early this month, Kenya indicated it may lift the ban after experts from the two countries met to assess the outbreak of bird flu.

However, Mr Bett did not confirm when the ban would be lifted.

Ugandan government on more than two occasions through Uganda’s Agriculture minister, Mr Vincent Ssempija assured Kenya that it has contained the outbreak, adding that most farms that export eggs to Kenya are located more than 10 km from quarantined area.

Kenyan poultry traders have been sourcing eggs, hatched day-old chicks and poultry meat from Uganda as it is far cheaper compared to local products.